Abstract: A device for retaining in side-by-side relationship flexible tying means such as shoelaces comprises two relatively rigid clamping members and a relatively flexible linking member joining the clamping members. The linking member is adapted to permit the clamping members to be folded so as to lie one against the other so as to firmly retain the flexible tying means in side-by-side relationship between them. Means are provided for resistantly locking together the clamping members in the position in which they are folded against one another. The device is applicable in particular to the self-service retailing of shoes.

Abstract: A function generator circuit is provided which generates a target engine revolution speed electric signal indicative of a target engine revolution speed which is a first predetermined function of an accelerator pedal stroke electric signal indicative of a depression degree of an accelerator pedal. There is also provided another function generator circuit which generates a target engine torque electric signal indicative of a target engine torque which is a second predetermined function of the accelerator pedal stroke electric signal. A comparator compares the actual and target engine revolution speed electric signals and generates a deviation signal indicative of a difference between these signals. A shift control varies a reduction ratio in the continuously variable transmission to vary the revolution speed of the engine in a direction to reduce the deviation signal.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission, comprises a first device for detecting an operating parameter in relation to vehicle cruising, a second device for detecting an engine temperature, and a third device for lowering engine speed at the fully closed position of a throttle valve in response to the detected operating parameter and the detected engine temperature, thereby effectively reducing fuel consumption and engine noise without deterioration in engine running stability.

Abstract: A valve operating system of an internal combustion engine comprises a rocker arm swingable relative to a rocker arm shaft, and having a first end portion co-operative with an operating cam and a second end portion co-operative with a valve stem. The rocker arm is formed at its central part with a bearing section at which the rocker arm is swingably supported on the rocker arm shaft. The bearing section abuttingly contacts and extends along the outer peripheral surface of the rocker arm shaft. Additionally, the valve operating system is so arranged that engine lubricating oil is supplied under pressure between the rocker arm bearing section and the rocker arm shaft, thereby rendering the valve clearance zero in order to reduce noise generation from the valve operating system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a metal oxide varistor which comprises; a sintered body containing (a) ZnO as a principal component, and (b), as auxiliary components, Bi, Co and Mn in amounts of 0.05.about.2 mole %, 0.05.about.2 mole % and 0.05.about.2 mole %, when calculated in terms of Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3, Co.sub.2 O.sub.3 and MnO.sub.2, respectively, and at least one selected from Al, In and Ga in amounts of 1.times.10.sup.-4 .about.3.times.10.sup.-2 mole %, when calculated in terms of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, In.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Ga.sub.2 O.sub.3, respectively; said sintered material having been reheated at a temperature of 650.degree..about.900.degree. C. after sintering; and a non-diffusible electrode provided on said sintered body. The metal oxide varistor has excellent pulse response and volt-ampere non-linearity even with respect to a pulse having a short rise time of less than a microsecond.

Abstract: In a reservoir tank which includes an oil seal mounted to the cap of the reservoir tank and adapted to be in resilient engagement against the inner peripheral surface of the reservorir tank, the oil seal is integrally formed with an annular projection the tip portion of which is positioned at the braking fluid side of the cylindrical portion of the cap.

Abstract: An oven frame is formed by interconnected back, side, top and bottom walls, and at least one opening at the front thereof for receiving a door. An inner cover is mounted in spaced relation to the top wall to form a top air channel, with fan means being positioned in the channel. Plate means are vertically positioned at each side of said enclosure and spaced from the side walls so as to define therewith outer air channels in air flow communication with the top air channel. Heating means are positioned in the outer channels and spaced from the plate means to accommodate air flow on either side thereof. Inner walls are spaced inwardly from the plates and define therewith inner flow channels communicating with said outer channels through bottom openings in the plate means. The inner walls are formed with openings through which heated air can pass from the inner channel to the enclosure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing silicon nitride powder, which comprises baking a powdery mixture comprising (i) 1 part by weight of silica powder, or a silica-containing substance in terms of silica, (ii) 0.4 to 4 parts by weight of carbon powder, or a substance generating carbon by baking, in terms of carbon and (iii) 0.005 to 1 part by weight of silicon nitride powder synthesized by a silica reduction method, at a temperature of from 1350.degree. to 1550.degree. C. in a non-oxidative atmosphere containing nitrogen.

Abstract: A two-stage electric water heater adapted to store water at a comparatively low temperature and to heat the outflowing stored water to a desired higher temperature includes a storage vessel provided with an elongated thermostatically controlled electric resistance heating element positioned in the vessel and surrounded in space-apart relationship by an elongated imperforate metal tube having a closed outer end attached to a wall of the vessel and an open inner end at a higher level in the vessel and terminating short of the top of the vessel. A heated water outlet extends from the outer end of the tube to the outside of the vessel. An elongated tubular thermally insulating body concentrically surrounds a major part of the length of the tube and is spaced therefrom to form a convective water flow passage communicating with the interior of the vessel proximate the inner and outer ends of the tube.

Abstract: In a double-ring winding machine for winding of wire on closed core members such as toroidal cores comprising a wire magazine and an annular wire advancing member arranged concentrically to rotate about the same axis independent of each other, the wire magazine has an internal diameter exceeding the external diameter of the wire advancing member and the wire magazine and the wire advancing member are suspended in mutual radial alignment throughout their axial width. Wire is drawn out from the wire magazine through a bottom slit and guided through a hole in the wire advancing member during rotation of both and simultaneously wire is filled into the magazine through an opening in the external side thereof. The filling opening may have the form of a slit opposite the bottom slit whereby the wire magazine may be composed of two rings of semi-circular cross-section separated by the bottom and filling slits only, both of which may be wave-formed in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The application discloses a process for the preparation of plates, films, sheets, strips, rods, molded parts, objects or profiles of high mechanical strength, from thermoplastic synthetic resinous materials, whereby the thermoplastic material is initially heated in an extruder or a similar installation equipped with a mixing and heating device to at least its melting or softening point, the emerging extruded mass subjected during or after a cooling process in a forming device, pressure drawing device or other accessory installation to at least one pressure stretching at a pressure from about 90 .sup.N /mm.sup.2 to 1500 .sup.N /mm.sup.2, preferably from about 155 .sup.N /mm.sup.2 to 1000 .sup.N /mm.sup.2, and/or to at least one pulsating pressure or shearing pressure treatment. Preferably, the pressure stretched or shearing pressure treated synthetic plastic material is subjected subsequently to at least one further tempering, preferably cooling and/or processing step.

Abstract: A hot-wire level detecting apparatus includes a micro-processor which registers a look-up table of digital level values associated with digital values of a differential parameter representing the change in the voltage or current in the hot-wire probe. The micro-processor controls a switch for initiating the application of power to the probe. In one embodiment a constant voltage supply is connected across the emitter and collector of a transistor with the probe in the emitter circuit and a resistor in the collector circuit. The voltage across the resistor, measured at switch-on and after a period for stabilization, is fed to the micro-processor by an analog-digital converter.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a firing range, in which transducers located adjacent the target area detect the airborne shock wave from supersonic projectiles. The position at which each projectile passes through the target plane is determined from the relative time of arrival of the associated shock wave at the transducers. A visual display of the target and the projectile position is provided for the use of range personnel.

Abstract: An upstream end of a combustion liner is adapted to be firmly clamped between an end of a supporting bracket and a pusher ring under the bias of a spring. Constructions and arrangements are made so as to enable the supporting bracket to be of one-piece. Various embodiments include a bayonet type, a threaded type, and an annular type attachment means.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a method for discharging leakage water from guide vanes of a reversible hydraulic machine when the guide vanes are fully closed under the water surface of a runner being depressed comprises a runner connected to a main shaft of the hydraulic machine and covered with upper and lower covers, a plurality of guide vanes arranged at a peripheral portion of the runner, first and second discharge pipes provided with first and second discharge valves and arranged so as to connect a discharge conduit and a runner chamber formed between the runner and one of the covers, and a device for operating said discharge valves. A leakage water discharge method is carried out in accordance with such control mode as that the first and second discharge valves are both opened when the runner rotates in a power generation direction and one of the discharge valves is opened when said runner rotates in a pumping-up direction.

Abstract: A photographic finder camera adapted to use interchangeable photographic lens objectives and having a photoelectric detector system for measuring the light flux passing through the photographic lens objective employed in each case. At least one movably mounted optical component is disposed in the camera housing which component directs at least a part of the light flux coming from the object to be measured and passing through the lens objective to the photoelectric detector system. Control means are provided to selectively move this optical component into the measurement position in the beam path of the camera lens objective and depending on the actuation of the shutter, to transfer the optical component into a non-use position.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for withdrawing tape from an internal elastic-belt-drive type cartridge is disclosed. At least one member is inserted into the cartridge, just behind the tape, where the tape is exposed by the cartridge, to exert a tensile force on the tape, in a direction generally perpendicular to the undisturbed surface of the tape and simultaneously, the reels of the cartridge are driven in their standard manner.

Abstract: Disclosed is an evaporator comprising a connector member, a Venturi distributor connected to the connector member for receiving and distributing a coolant, wherein the Venturi distributor divides the coolant into a plurality of streams, a plurality of channels formed in a body which comprises an insert for the connector member for conducting the coolant streams from the Venturi distributor, the channels corresponding in number to the streams with each channel being positioned to receive one of the streams from the Venturi distributor, a plurality of evaporator pipes connected to the connector member in parallel flow arrangement, the pipes corresponding in number to the channels with each pipe being connected to one of the channels, thereby forming a continuous coolant flow path from the Venturi distributor via the channels to the evaporator pipes, and a collection chamber formed in the connector member for receiving the coolant from the pipes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a white luminescent phosphor for use in a cathode ray tube, which comprises a mixture of at least one phosphor having a composition of the following formula:In.sub.1-p-q-r M.sub.p Eu.sub.q Tb.sub.r BO.sub.3wherein M represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Lu, Y, La, Gd and Ga; and each of p, q and r represents a number satisfying the relationships of p.gtoreq.0, q.gtoreq.0, r.gtoreq.0 and 0<p+q+r<1, and having a 10% afterglow period of 10 milliseconds or longer, and a blue luminescent phosphor having the composition of ZnS:Ag.

Abstract: A safety system for a motor vehicle having an automatic transmission, a shift lever movable into select positions for allowing the transmission to assume the corresponding gear conditions thereof, stepped operation surfaces, and a stop pin movable with the shift lever and slidably engageable with the stepped operation surfaces for retaining the shift lever at one of the select positions. A position detector switch is provided which connects the starter motor of the vehicle with an electric power source. The position detector switch includes at least one stationary contact member mounted to one of the stepped operation surfaces, and a single movable contact member mounted to the stop pin at the portion engageable with the stepped operation surfaces.